dress shirt was unbuttoned at the neck. The long sleeves were rolled up mid-arm,
a gold watch nestled amid the sprinkling of dark hair on his tanned wrist. On the
same hand, she also caught the dull gleam of the gold wedding band. The color drained
from her face.

She clenched and unclenched her hands around the stemware as something
close to panic settled into every inch of her body. She raised her chin in an effort
to appear nonchalant as she crossed the room and entered the kitchen. Before she
could make her hands relinquish their death grip on the glass, Alec was behind her. He
gently took it from her hands and set it on the counter.

“I like your friends,” he murmured, near her ear. His breath was hot
against her skin.

She tried to remain calm. “They are good people.”

He slowly slid his arms around her waist. She could feel his face rubbing
against her hair. In such close proximity, his deep voice caused tingling sensations
to dance over her skin. Shea clung to the edge of the counter for support.

Alec stepped away from her to the kitchen table and a canister containing
a partially consumed bottle of champagne. He pulled it from the ice and holding
two crystal flutes easily in one hand, poured the champagne with the other.

“To what shall we toast?” he asked as he handed her one of the glasses. “A
long and satisfying marriage?”

She eyed him coolly. “How about to integrity?”

He pursed his lips as if to contain a devilish grin, then tipped his
head and touched his fluted glass to hers. Shea downed the full contents, desperately
needing its calming effect. She rarely drank alcohol, never champagne, and she wasn’t
prepared for the burning sensation. Her eyes clouded with tears and she couldn’t
stop the choking cough.

Still, the night that lay ahead made her hold the empty glass out to
Alec. She ignored the knowing smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he obligingly
refilled it to the brim.

If it were within her power to disappear in a puff of smoke, she’d have
done it. For one fleeting second, the land didn’t seem that important. Then the
moment passed and she knew she’d see this thing through.

Somehow.

“It's been a long day,” he said when she set her empty glass on the table.

“Yes.” She readily agreed, some hope suddenly flaring in her chest.

“I suggest you show me our room.”

Alec ignored any traces of panic that must have been apparent in her
face and without waiting for an answer, reached for her hand. His was large and
warm, his grip firm and solid as he led her out of the kitchen and toward the stairs,
turning off the lights as he went.

Lifting the long skirt of the gown with her free hand to ensure she didn’t
step on the hem, she followed him up the stairs. At the top of the staircase, he
paused, silently indicating she should precede him into a bedroom. She walked down
the hall, her head held high.

At the door to her room, she stopped. I can't do this. She felt light-headed
and could almost hear the chaotic beating of her heart as it pounded against her
chest.

Reaching around her, Alec turned the knob and effortlessly pushed open
the door. She hesitated, swallowing back the vile taste of fear that rose in her
throat. She could feel the warmth of his body against her back and the soft caress
of his breath on her ear seconds before he kissed the sensitive area just below. Wild
sensations tore through her. She spun around to face him, her hands braced against
the muscled wall of his chest as she tried to keep him at arm's length.

“What's the matter?” he asked, tilting his head in mock innocence. “Wedding
night jitters?”

“No.” She shook her head. “No. It's just that...well, we ah...we don't
know each other. I mean—” She took a step back from him, placing her just inside
the bedroom.

“I think I know a way we can remedy that problem.” He began to unbutton
his shirt. With his other hand, he reached out and flipped off the bedroom light
leaving only the soft beams of moonlight streaming through the window to challenge
the darkness that now surrounded them. Through the dim glow, he watched her, his
eyes focused on her lips.

Shea slowly backed away but Alec advanced toward her, matching step for
step. With the last button released, his shirt fell open to reveal the muscular
wall of his chest. She hadn’t realized he was so powerfully built; so solid. Definitely
not the body of a man who sat behind a desk every day.

“You surprise me, Mrs. Morreston. I had expected you to come down the
stairs wearing boots and jeans. Instead, you walked into the room in that gown.” The
deep, velvety texture of his voice reached her through the dim radiance in the room. “If
that was for my benefit, to ensure I knew what a beautiful and desirable woman I
was about to marry, you can rest assured, it worked.”

“No. I mean...it...it was my mother's.”

“It's very nice. Very elegant.” He continued to advance toward her. “But
now it's time to take it off.”

“No.”

“No?” he mocked her. “Why Mrs. Morreston, are you saying you intend
to deny your husband on your wedding night?”

“I...I just think we need time to—”

“Don't worry, sweetheart,” he cut in. “We have all night, and I certainly
intend to take my time.”

“No!”

“No? Might I remind you, Mrs. Morreston, I paid a very high price for
the...pleasure...of your company. You’re now a very wealthy woman. Why don’t you
show me if the goods are worth the cost.”

“No.”

“Ah...there's that word again.” Alec didn't even bother concealing his
devious smile. “Are you saying you want to have our marriage annulled and give up
so soon? I honestly believed your resolve to keep this place, no matter what, would
last longer than the wedding night.”

“And I hoped, as a gentleman, you would afford me an opportunity to get
to know you before...before...”

“Who said I was a gentleman?” Shea could see the faint white of his
teeth as he smiled in the darkness. “I've held up my end of this bargain, Mrs. Morreston. Now,
I believe, it's your turn.”

“Stop calling me that!” she snapped through gritted teeth as her inner
turmoil exploded to the surface. This only succeeded in causing a bigger grin to
spread across his features.

“But that's who you are, Mrs. Morreston.” His fingers reached out and
touched the tiny pearl buttons at the neckline of her dress. “It was your decision,
remember?”

“Only to prevent you from taking my ranch.”

“It was your decision.”

Shea swallowed back the alarm that threatened to engulf her. He was
right. He had warned her. And she had freely agreed.

Reaching for one of her hands, he began to unbutton the seam that ran
from her wrist to her elbow, letting the satiny material fall away from her arm. Then,
without a word, he moved to the other sleeve.

That completed, in a gentle but firm action, he turned her around and
began to unfasten the back of the satin and lace gown. His hands moved slowly, methodically
down the dress, releasing button by tiny button.

She caught their reflection in the mirror on the closet door. The moonlight
highlighted the silver-blonde strands of her hair and softened the panicked features
of her face. Alec's large, dark silhouette loomed behind her, his head bowed as
he worked at his task. All traces of his earlier amusement were gone, replaced by
a look of serious intent.

Standing practically nude before a strange man was not an experience
she'd ever anticipated. The gown provided a frail armor, a subtle safeguard. In
a few precious minutes, her lace panties and the white legging hosiery would be the
only pieces of armor that remained.

Their eyes met in the mirrored reflection for countless seconds before
he bent his head and placed his lips against the sensitive area beneath her ear. Her
heart kicked into double time as Alec emitted a low growl, which sent electric sensations
racing down her spine.

She spun around in an effort to break the contact. Rather than reach
for her again, he removed his shirt, tossed it aside, and began unbuckling his belt. The
muscles of his shoulders and arms rippled under the moon’s glow, the significant
pectorals making him seem even bigger than he’d looked with his clothes on.

Taking another step back from him, her legs bumped against the bed. Her
pulse tripled. Frantically her eyes searched the room, hoping to detect any means
of escape from this reprehensible situation.

Before she could voice any more objections or seize on a reason to try
to postpone the inevitable, Alec reached out to her. His hands cupped her face,
compelling her to meet his gaze as he took the final step, closing the short distance
between them.

Shea clenched her hands into tight fists at her sides, determined to
resist this forceful male. In the pale light, she saw his eyes focus on her lips
seconds before his mouth came down over hers, hard, masterfully firm in its possession. His
heavy arms encircled her body like bands of steel. His sheer strength and size,
coupled with the passion of the embrace, rocked her senses and snatched the very
breath from her lungs. She was way out of her depth. A feeling of near hysteria
enveloped her mind. With a small cry, she tore her mouth from his. He allowed her
to pull back but kept her close, his large hands resting on her shoulders.

“Shhhh.” A frown drew his dark brows together. He had to see the frantic,
almost terrified expression that must be on her face, mirroring the fear churning
inside. “It's all right, Shea. I’m not going to hurt you,” he murmured as his thumbs
caressed the side of her face. “Just kiss me. That's all you have to do.”

Shea scarcely had time to nod her agreement before his mouth once again claimed
hers. This time he moved slowly, sensuously, against the trembling warmth of her
own with an easy gentleness that immediately began to tear down the walls of her
resistance. His tongue licked and teased her lips, moistening them, as if readying
her for a more intense joining.

With consummate skill, he encouraged her mouth to open. His tongue slid
deep into the cavern of her mouth, intensifying the embrace, sending her heart plummeting
all the way to her knees. The kiss was frankly intimate, shamefully enticing, and
custom designed to evoke a matching response from her. He tasted of champagne and
his own uniquely delicious male flavor. The bittersweet essence of his cologne silently
affirmed the raw masculinity of the man who wore it.

His hands rubbed her back, working down her spine, slowly massaging away
the last remnants of her inner turmoil. Sensual warmth began to spread though her
lower region while a thread of confusion wove its way into her mind.

What am I doing? But the question was too fleeting to receive an answer.

Slowly, but steadily, her fear began to change form, turning, instead,
into a fundamental need that refused to be ignored. A fragment of her mind insisted
this wasn't right. Her body screamed that it was.

Alec pushed the creamy fabric of the gown from her shoulders. It fell
to the floor with a quiet rustle. She should have been shocked, but the realization
weighed no heavier than the soft evening breeze entering the room through the open
windows, lightly touching her skin. For a few moments in time, she forgot the reality
of her situation, of her pledged hatred of this man. Of their own accord, her arms
slid up over the muscled wall of his chest to rest on his broad, powerful shoulders,
letting her fingers play in the thick, silky texture of his hair. Alec’s hands moved
lower in their rotation until, reaching the fullness of her hips, he pulled her firmly
up and against him. The hard, male ridge of his arousal pressed against the sensitive
juncture between her legs and a jolt of pure sexual hunger shot through her. Her
body jerked forward, uncontrollably, bringing a deep growl from Alec.

He began to alternately kiss and nibble the delicate contours of her
neck and shoulder, and eyes closed, she tilted her head to allow him greater access. His
hands moved to her breasts, kneading the firmness, making them swell under his touch. Then
his mouth returned to hers in a deep, drugging kiss that brought a small whimper,
an automatic response, conveying the end of her struggle against the inevitable.

Experience told Alec that sound signified her acceptance of what was to
come. He knew, at this moment in time, she was his, completely and totally. Raising
his head, he looked at Shea’s face through the soft radiance of moonlight. Her eyes
closed, her lips parted, as if waiting for his mouth to return. As if beckoning
his lips to return.

Heat coursed through his body, centering in his loins, making him throb
against the restricting barrier of his slacks. A slight tremor reminded him he was
about to cross the line. This was not the plan. Seducing her wouldn’t accomplish
anything except add to the problems he already faced and enormously complicate the
entire situation.

He gritted his teeth, closed his eyes, and fought for restraint. But
even when he couldn’t see, her fragrance assailed him, called to him, and tempted
him almost beyond his control. He knew her body craved fulfillment and her need
only served to bring him closer to that moment of ultimate possession, a moment that
should never happen. He ached with wanting. His libido screamed take her.

Suddenly, it was too much.

Damn the land. Damn this situation. With a groan of defeat, he scooped
her into his arms, laid her gently on the bed, and followed her down, his mouth again
finding hers.

She tasted of sweet wild nectar, and like a starving man, he fed. She
was a heady aphrodisiac that had every cell in his body clamoring for more.

Then, almost unnoticeable yet detectable, hesitant, but determined, the
persistent sound of drumming broke into the moment, bringing with it a cold veracity
that refused to leave.

Frowning, Alec raised his head, reluctantly separating his lips from
hers. He inhaled deeply, fighting to regain cognizant thought. It sounded like
someone was knocking on a door. Silence. Then it started again. Another hard series
of raps caused him to look questioningly at Shea while he fought to latch onto some
thread of reality.

“Are you expecting anyone?” His voice sounded rough, even to his own
ears.

She mutely looked into his face. Alec drew a deep breath then blew it
out, pausing to regain what little mind he had left. Finally, he rolled off the
bed and stood up. Taking another deep breath, he walked out into the hallway and
down the stairs as the persistent knocking continued. He knew a sudden surge of
fury as he reached the kitchen door.

Hank Minton, the ranch Foreman, stood on the doorstep. His hat in his
hands, a worried look pinched the strained features of his face. Alec remembered
meeting him earlier. He wouldn’t look Alec in the eye and instead, watched the bugs
fluttering around the porch light, studied the doorbell, and finally, appeared to
give significant attention to his old, worn boots.

“I’m sorry to bother you all with this,” the old cowboy said. “Real
sorry. Specially knowing it’s your weddin’ night and all. But we got a horse down,
and I think Shea’s gonna need to take a look at him.”

“I see,” Alec replied. And he did.

There was no question in his mind that Shea had solicited Hank’s help
for this perfectly timed interruption. Alec was torn between a desire to toss the
old man off the step or hug his neck and thank him for doing what he’d, apparently,
not had the strength to do.

Hank had just provided a plausible excuse for Alec to stop before he’d
taken her, which was exactly what he should have done in the first place. Annoyance
surged through him for his weakness and for letting his desire overcome his common
sense.

He definitely should be grateful to Hank. Why, then, did he have the
urge to break the old man’s neck?

“Come in. I’ll get her.”

The old cowboy nodded and stepped just inside the kitchen, glancing at
the sink, the overhead light, the chairs and finally, back to his boots.

Shea sat on the edge of the bed in the darkened room as reality came
creeping back. Willing her pulse to steady, she took a deep breath in a desperate
attempt to clear her head. Still giddy and a bit light-headed, her hand trembled
as she ran fingers through her hair. It had been close. Too close. His touch left
the lower parts of her swollen, unfulfilled and badly in need of something more.

He hadn’t made love to her. Technically. She should be monumentally
happy. Why, then, did she feel ridiculously disappointed?

She stood from the bed, feeling her way to the closet, not bothering
to turn on a light. Her legs were strangely weak. She quickly shucked her hosiery,
pulled on a pair of jeans and a shirt then descended the stairs. She couldn't help
but grimace as full reality settled over her.

She'd almost had sex with Alec Morreston.

Even worse, he hadn't forced her. He hadn't held her down or tied her
to the bedposts. He'd kissed her. That's all. Apparently, that had been enough. She
knew it. And worse, so did he. Shea clung to the stair railing for support as the
full impact of that realization flooded her mind. Alec Morreston was here to take
away her ranch, her home, everything she held dear. She would do well to remember
that. He was, inarguably, a very potent package with obvious experience to back
that up. She had to be strong.

“—-see. Come in, Hank. I'll go and get her.” Alec pivoted from the
open doorway and as she reached the bottom of the stairs. He didn't seem surprised
to see her there. “It seems your presence is needed in the barn.” His tone clearly
said he was suspicious of Hank's timing.

“It's Dancer, Shea.” Hank's voice carried to her from the doorway. “He's
down. Me, and Jason, we've been working with him almost an hour, but we can't keep
him on his feet. I think its colic.” The old cowboy threaded the brim of his hat
through his hands in a nervous gesture as he stared at his boots. “I'm real sorry
about this. Real sorry.”

“That's okay, Hank.” Shea glanced at Alec. “I'm sure Mr. Morreston
understands.” The look Alec gave her clearly said he understood far more than just
the claimed need for Shea's presence in the barn. “Give me a second to put on some
shoes. Is he in the main barn?”

“Yes, Ma'am. I'll go on back out there.” He put his hat firmly on his
head and turned toward the door. “I'm real sorry 'bout this. Real sorry.” Hank
closed the door behind him.

Shea ran up the stairs and into the bedroom wasting no time as she pulled
on socks and boots. Just as she stood and reached for her jacket, Alec walked into
the room.

“Need any help?”

“No. Thanks anyway.”

As she walked past him, he gently caught her arm, stopping her in mid-stride. Startled,
she looked up into his face and his eyes pinned her to the spot.

“I'll let you go. This time. Consider it...a wedding gift. Go and
see about your horse. We wouldn't want all of Hank's efforts to be for nothing. But,
take fair warning, next time there will be no interruptions. You can accept that
or you can prepare to leave here.” There was a gleam of promise in his eyes.

His insolence was like a splash of cold water in the face. A scant few
minutes ago, she'd been on the verge of giving herself to this man. Now her only
inclination was to put her fist firmly against his nose with the highest velocity
she could muster. Her anger soared as the combined emotions of frustration and humiliation
propelled it quickly to the surface.

Pushing past him, she almost ran down the stairs. For the first time,
doubts flooded her mind that she could pull this off and force him to leave her ranch. It
had seemed like an easy thing to do-- in the light of day. But eventually the day
would end, and a man with steel-gray eyes and an iron-clad resolve would rule the
night.

As Shea closed the front door behind the last of the departing guests, for
a few crazy minutes she’d actually forgotten about Alec. Reaching over to pick up
a wineglass left on a nearby table, she took several steps toward the kitchen before
she noticed him. Leaning against the newel post at the foot of the stairs with his
arms crossed in front of him, he had discarded his tie and the white